FINDING SIMPLICITY IN THE COMPLEX: SCHALK VENTER

Illustrator Schalk Venter creates works that discover simplicity within the complex. Simple lines morph into detailed, complex compositions while organic shapes sprout wings and become birds – this is the unpredictable world of illustration. Although Schalk originally studied to become a graphic designer while dabbling in photography, he eventually focussed his mind on illustration as his medium of choice and what a choice it was.

While Schalk professes great admiration for the more established talents of Dylan Jones and Wesley van Eeden it’s not a simple case of fan adoration. What Schalk truly admires about these artists is the way they approach their work. Their work is deeply honest which is a rare find in an industry where you create to please and it’s an approach that Schalk constantly strives to emulate in his own work.

Growing up, Schalk became heavily involved in both the hardcore and post-hardcore subculture. His fascination with these scenes led him to discover artists such as the strangely dark band works by Dave Quiggle and the simplistic, powerful works of Derek Hess. The influence of these two artists can be seen in Schalk’s work today. Echoes of Derek Hess’ simple yet messy lines with a subdued palette and Quiggle’s darker imagery can be seen in Schalk’s work.

A sufferer from insomnia, many of his illustrations start out as early morning doodles. Over time he works on building up these illustrations by slowly expanding on the concepts until they blossom into full images. While he works in several different mediums, Schalk always attempts to work closely to the work’s final format and medium as it assists in ensuring a viable end product. However, Schalk refrains from committing himself to a fixed artistic approach to creating, as to do so limits his experimentation and growth as an artist. “For me that is a very dangerous place to be in,” he explains before adding “I’m not sure if this is my overall approach to my work or if it’s just a stage that I’m going through in discovering my own personal style.”

Having studied Graphic Design at a tertiary level, Schalk finds that the majority of his works incorporate strong design elements. His studies have developed what he refers to as a “dependency on digital mediums”. Yet his works of a traditional medium are equally as strong as his digital works. Strong lines, clear concepts and a well constructed palette create images that are powerful and serene, clear and commanding. His palette tends to consist mainly of subdued tones. Occasionally, and quite rarely, a vibrant thrust of colour bursts across the canvases to bring home the integral elements of the composition.

Recently Schalk exhibited in the Group Soup Exhibition, which one small seed reviewed in part last month. His contribution to the exhibition consisted of two series of works, most notably the Power, Wealth and Love series. This series of three were painted with watercolours on plywood boards and are his current favourites. Each board depicts a soft hued creature curiously investigating a colourless trap which has been laid out for them. The images are simple and the creatures are almost geometric in shape, echoing the structure of the traps lying before them. They evoke a sense of sadness, a haunting note of inevitable suffering and death. The three works were a hit success at the exhibition and were quickly sold.

View more of his work on his flickr.